2009 International Freedom of the Press Award

April 21, 2010

Sonali Samarasinghe and Mark Hamrick

Sonali Samarasinghe, widow of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor in chief of The Sunday Leader in Colombo, Sri Lanka receives the 2009 International Freedom of the Press Award from NPC Vice President Mark Hamrick at an April 21 event sponsored by the Freedom of the Press Committee. This award was given posthumously to Wickramatunga. Before he was murdered, he had written a letter to be released upon his death naming those whom he thought would be responsible for his killing.
Photo: Noel St. John

Sonali Samarasinghe, widow of Lasantha Wickramatunga

Sonali Samarasinghe, widow of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor in chief of The Sunday Leader in Colombo, Sri Lanka, speaks at an April 21 event sponsored by the Freedom of the Press Committee. Ms. Samarasinghe discussed the dangerous nature of reporting from Sri Lanka, and the events leading up to her husband's murder.
Photo: Noel St. John

Sonali Samarasinghe, editor in chief of The Sunday Leader in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sonali Samarasinghe, widow of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor in chief of The Sunday Leader in Colombo, Sri Lanka, speaks at an April 21 event sponsored by the Freedom of the Press Committee. Ms. Samarasinghe discussed the dangerous nature of reporting from Sri Lanka, and the events leading up to her husband's murder.
Photo: Noel St. John

Gil Klein interviews Sonali Samarasinghe

Former NPC President Gil Klein interviews Sonali Samarasinghe, widow of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor in chief of The Sunday Leader in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Ms Samarasinghe, also a journalist, discussed the dangerous nature of reporting from Sri Lanka, and the events leading up to her husband's murder.
Photo: Noel St. John

Sonali Samarasinghe speaks at an April 21 event

Sonali Samarasinghe, widow of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor in chief of The Sunday Leader in Colombo, Sri Lanka, speaks at an April 21 event sponsored by the Freedom of the Press Committee. Ms. Samarasinghe discussed the dangerous nature of reporting from Sri Lanka, and the events leading up to her husband's murder. (Also pictured, former NPC President Gil Klein.)
Photo: Noel St. John